San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn has long lacked tact. In 2000, the retired Marine, whose website once “mistakenly” listed the Silver Star among his honors, opposed gays in the military by saying, “I want the people defending me to be the best there is. I don’t want any other ancillary kind of problems, whether or not they use their pinky finger.”

In 2005, while seeking a $28,000-a-year salary increase after the county had slashed youth services and laid off dozens of workers, Horn said, “It is true that we are elected, but nobody who got elected took a vow of poverty. We’re not Franciscans.”

Any doubts about Horn’s disdain and disrespect for the public evaporated when he opposed Supervisor Greg Cox’s recent suggestion that the board meet once at night as it has in years past so working constituents could discuss the county’s budget.

Horn said a “concerned citizen ... could make the time to come down here to testify. I’m willing to sit here for two days. … I don’t want to sit here at night.”

While hiring a new police chief, San Diego city officials set five night meetings and a sixth on a Saturday afternoon to let the public discuss its priorities, and they are holding two more — one at night — to discuss the selection. The supervisors need to reconsider their decision and hold a budget meeting at night for the public — the board’s bosses, lest we forget. That’s no inconvenience. It’s their job.